THE SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION

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4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Three elements of personality are involved in making a decision to become a Christian, or in making any significant decision for that matter. They are the emotions, the intellect, and the will.

For example, a young man meets a young woman. They are immediately attracted to one another. They both say to themselves, "Now there is someone I'd like to marry." At that point, if the emotions had their way, there would be a wedding. But the intellect intervenes, questioning the impulsive emotional response. Would we be compatible? What is she really like? Can I afford to support her? Both conclude it would be better to take some more time and answer a few questions before they proceed. So the two begin spending more time with each other. He eventually concludes that she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Now his intellect has sided with the emotions on the idea of marriage.

But the final and heaviest vote remains to be cast -- that of the will. It stops the march toward the altar with the questions, "Am I willing to give up this lifestyle for another? What about my freedom -- is it worth the trade? Am I willing to assume the added responsibility?" The marriage will occur only when the will finally agrees with the emotions and the intellect. And so it is in coming to Christ.

The apostle is aware of the endless variety of temperaments amongst his readers and the diverse racial and social backgrounds from which they have come into the Christian church; but he would have them even more aware of the spiritual realities that now unite them and that should completely transcend differences of background.

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1-ONE BODY.

Ephesians 2:16 ESV

16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

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1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

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Romans 12:4–5 ESV

4For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

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2-ONE SPIRIT.

Ephesians 2:18 ESV

18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

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1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV

13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

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Acts 10:44–48 ESV

44While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

ACTS 10:44

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3-ONE HOPE.

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

18having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

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Romans 8:18 ESV

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Romans 8:22–23 ESV

22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

ROMANS 8:18-

Romans 8:22 ESV

22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.